TNA to not last the year?

[CrazySting]

The feeling on TNA is that it's in really dire straights, to the point where people were seriously talking about how the impression they had was that it might not last the year. For all the talk of Ross and Heyman potentially going to TNA, people who spoke to them sure got the impression that they find the place to be almost completely beyond repair.

f4w newsletter.

Okay, and before anyone starts the NEWZ stuff, it's pretty known they aren't in a great shape finanacially, and have had to do a some budget cuts (4 tapings in one week, Madison coming out by herself).

Also, people were accusing Meltzer and Alvarez of "NEWZ" in 2000 when they were reporting about all the money WCW were losing.

[I Like Your Poetry]

I find it so hard to believe that this company in shambles right now actually produced a very good product at the end of last year.

Something about Hogan coming in that set the product back like 5 years, which might be something that TNA might never recover from....even with Dixie's deep pockets.

[Apricots And A Pear Tree]

Why do you always post depressing things?

[golding]

Maybe there were a few people claiming "newz" on the WCW reports. I honestly don't recall, mainly because I don't recall "newz" claims being quite as common in 2000. But giving the benefit of the doubt, I may have selective amnesia on that one. The difference, though, is that WCW was more obviously chaotic on screen and off. Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff were in one day and out the next, then back in the day after. It left a lot of confusion as to the creative direction of the show, and demonstrated that there weren't many long-term plans. The product was suffering terribly on-screen, and you could see that something underlying was causing it to suffer (no matter how much you hate the TNA product and want to say it's the same as WCW in 2000... the simple fact is that it's not). Turner-AOL was publicly suffering market-wise, so the signs of overall money loss (and therefore, budget cuts) were present.

I'm not really seeing any of these things going on in TNA. Their station is supporting them, they're drawing larger crowds than they've ever done before, their workers aren't even nearly phoning it in, and their programming staff isn't travelling through a revolving door. That's why I'm comfortable calling newz. The only ones saying TNA is suffering is wrestling pundits reporting on an anonymous source's "feelings".

[Tapout]

Jul 6, 2010 19:28:29 GMT -5 CrazySting said:

The feeling on TNA is that it's in really dire straights, to the point where people were seriously talking about how the impression they had was that it might not last the year. For all the talk of Ross and Heyman potentially going to TNA, people who spoke to them sure got the impression that they find the place to be almost completely beyond repair.

f4w newsletter.

Okay, and before anyone starts the NEWZ stuff, it's pretty known they aren't in a great shape finanacially, and have had to do a some budget cuts (4 tapings in one week, Madison coming out by herself).

Also, people were accusing Meltzer and Alvarez of "NEWZ" in 2000 when they were reporting about all the money WCW were losing.

On one hand, I really wouldn't be surprised if this report turned out to be true, but on the other hand...we can't know for sure. None of us works at TNA so we simply can't know for sure about the company's financial situation unless we're there firsthand. Companies do not freely go around divulging their own financial doom. Despite Dixie's, Bischoff's, and Hogan's bungling, Spike TV would never let that out.

[The Genesis of KoOS]

Jul 6, 2010 19:31:50 GMT -5 I Like Your Poetry said:

I find it so hard to believe that this company in shambles right now actually produced a very good product at the end of last year.

Something about Hogan coming in that set the product back like 5 years, which might be something that TNA might never recover from....even with Dixie's deep pockets.

Just because you enjoy a product, doesn't mean it won't go under at the snap of a finger.

We don't know what they are spending and what they are making.

[Chainsaw]

Jul 6, 2010 19:28:29 GMT -5 CrazySting said:

Also, people were accusing Meltzer and Alvarez of "NEWZ" in 2000 when they were reporting about all the money WCW were losing.

They've also been claiming off and on for the last 8 years that TNA wouldn't last the year. We'll see, but I'm sure it'll hold up and keep going, even if they spend less money on big contracts...which is what they should be doing anyways.

[Deleted]

Aren't LVE and Velvet Sky, kayfabe injured and that's why Madison came to the ring by herself?

[rrm15]

The best thing to happen for TNA would be new management and to scale back MASSIVELY. They aren't going to compete with the WWE, period. Get rid of all the big contracts and focus more on being the WWE's alternative, not competition. Get wrestling oriented again with the X and Knockout Divisions standing out more.

[Spankymac is sick of the swiss]

Jul 6, 2010 19:43:52 GMT -5 @rrm15 said:

The best thing to happen for TNA would be new management and to scale back MASSIVELY. They aren't going to compete with the WWE, period. Get rid of all the big contracts and focus more on being the WWE's alternative, not competition. Get wrestling oriented again with the X and Knockout Divisions standing out more.

The problem with that is, and it's a logical though process on TNA's part, just a bit unfortunate, is the the alternative won't make NEARLY as much money as being competition will. Unfortunately for TNA, there's not a lot of middle ground as to their ultimate fate. They'll either realize that being a solid number 2 is good, or they'll keep trying different, wackier, more expensive stuff to compete, and they'll go under. Either way, we won't find out for at least another year.

[Error]

Jul 6, 2010 19:31:50 GMT -5 I Like Your Poetry said:

I find it so hard to believe that this company in shambles right now actually produced a very good product at the end of last year.

WCW was looking good toward the end too.

[josh]

I heard TNA may not last the hour.

[Welfare Willis]

You know I honestly thought TNA would go under when Spike decided to pull the plug. The Hogan/Bischoff era hasn't exactly helped things, but TNA has always seemed to sputter along getting it's .99 to 1.2 ratings range. Of course, a weak economy and big spending on contracts could have had an impact. It just seems to me either Dixie's dad or Spike would say, "Enough."

[Crusty Ruffles]

Who has the impression on the state of the company and it's based on what?

[Deleted]

There's really no comparison between TNA and WCW. WCW was owned by a multi-national conglomerate who's whole business structure crashed. Along with WCW, the Atlanta Thrashers, Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena were all sold. Was that due to bad booking?

[Rick Mad]

Jul 6, 2010 19:50:25 GMT -5 Spankymac is sick of the swiss said:

Jul 6, 2010 19:43:52 GMT -5 @rrm15 said:

The best thing to happen for TNA would be new management and to scale back MASSIVELY. They aren't going to compete with the WWE, period. Get rid of all the big contracts and focus more on being the WWE's alternative, not competition. Get wrestling oriented again with the X and Knockout Divisions standing out more.

The problem with that is, and it's a logical though process on TNA's part, just a bit unfortunate, is the the alternative won't make NEARLY as much money as being competition will. Unfortunately for TNA, there's not a lot of middle ground as to their ultimate fate. They'll either realize that being a solid number 2 is good, or they'll keep trying different, wackier, more expensive stuff to compete, and they'll go under. Either way, we won't find out for at least another year.

To be honest I feel like they really could have been both an alternative AND competition... show off what they are versus what WWE isn't, and they would've been fine. They didn't have to compete with WWE at their own game, they could've competed by "hitting WWE where they ain't" as one of my college professors used to say.

[toonami4life]

If I had a dollar for everytime I heard or read a report that TNA was going to go out of business I would have a lot of dollars right now. Frankly, I'll believe it when I see it.

[Michael Coello]

I never heard them doing 4 shows in a week to save money. It's usually 3, mostly cause it's a holiday or for a tour or something.

[Andrew is Good]

It makes sense due to many things.

Firstly, Jim Ross and Paul Heyman would never be able to change anything if they were just the cog in the machine, they have to have full control.

They need someone who has 100% creative control over all decisions. However, that person needs to be competent. Hogan and Bischoff are not competent. Russo wasn't the only writer when TNA were doing their highest ratings, Jeff Jarrett and Dutch Mantel were there (though they of course had their own faults).

When Jerry Jarrett was asked his advice back in the days WCW's downfall, he simply said, give up. Basically, with all the creative control issues, and politicking, nothing would have saved WCW unless the entire house was cleaned.

Signing Ric Flair was a huge mistake, and luckily for ROH, one they found out about quickly. Ric Flair is still respected, but he's not going to bring in new viewers. And, having him bury 5 of your potentially top talent in the ring in one promo is just a bad idea.

Signing a lot of the big name stars was a big mistake. In my opinion, out of all the new guys brought in this year, the only people I would keep if I had the choice would be Shannon Moore, Mr. Anderson and Brian Kendrick. One guy in the main event picture who is talented and can be turned into a TNA guy, due to having a lot of off time with injuries in WWE. Shannon Moore is a great wrestler, finally getting the chance to talk, and is great in the position he is. And Brian Kendrick is now getting the chance to express himself and his character. So, one new main event guy, and nobody else.

[Error]

Jul 6, 2010 20:14:44 GMT -5 toonami4life said:

If I had a dollar for everytime I heard or read a report that TNA was going to go out of business I would have a lot of dollars right now. Frankly, I'll believe it when I see it.

Like enough to save TNA, lollollollollollollollol